First introduced in 2015, Express Entry has become the main driver of skilled worker immigration to Canada and one of the most popular immigration systems globally.
Recent Update: All-program Express Entry draws, including Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class candidates, has resumed this July 2022. so it is important to get into the pool
What is Express Entry Canada?
Express Entry is an application management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage and process applications received through three of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs for skilled workers.
Express Entry is a very competitive immigration system, ranking all eligible candidates against one another and then inviting the best ranking candidates to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. Candidates are ranked against one another based on their age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors.
Under Express Entry, individuals and families wishing to settle in Canada can become new permanent residents within months.
How Express Entry Canada works
1. Determine Program eligibility: Potential Express Entry applicants will need to be eligible under one of the following federal economic immigration programs.
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW);
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC); or
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST).
Though the eligibility requirements differ for each of the Express Entry-aligned programs, all candidates are required to have at least one-year of skilled work experience, as well as a certain level of proficiency on an approved language test in either English or French. Also, Canada screens all Express Entry applicants for criminal history and medical issues that could make a person inadmissible.
2. Create an Express Entry profile: Eligible individuals must submit an Express Entry profile to the pool of candidates. The Express Entry profile acts as an Expression of Interest (EOI). Eligible candidates will automatically receive a score based on their profile and will be ranked against the other candidates in the pool.
The ranking score for Express Entry is based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and is out of 1,200 points. Candidates can improve their rank by taking steps to improve their CRS score. The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the higher the likelihood they will receive an Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA),
The CRS score is used as a cut-off point in Express Entry draws. It is designed to project a candidate’s likelihood of being economically successful in Canada. It ranks different candidates based on their career and educational history, language skills, and whether they have already received a qualifying job offer or provincial nomination in Canada, among other factors.
Express Entry candidates can receive additional points if they have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, or if they’ve received a provincial nomination.
3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts Express Entry draws at regular intervals. In these Express Entry draws, candidates above a certain rank are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. If a candidate is not invited, their profile will expire after 12 months, at which point they may submit a new profile. Visit this page for details of the latest Express Entry draw.
4. Improve your CRS score: Candidates in the Express Entry pool who have not yet been selected are able to improve their Express Entry profile and score. They can do this by submitting new and updated information. Examples include: increased language scores, educational credentials assessments, adding additional work experience, and/or obtaining a qualifying job offer or a provincial nomination. See our tips for improving your CRS score.
5. Submit your application for permanent residence: If you receive an Express Entry Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will be given 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. In this application you will have to provide extensive personal information along with supporting documentation. The entire application is submitted electronically.
After you’ve submitted your application, you have to wait for a final decision to be issued. If your application is approved, then you will receive authorization to activate your permanent resident status in Canada.
What do you need to create your Express Entry profile?
In order to submit your Express Entry profile, you will require three main documents. If you’re interested in Express Entry, gathering these three documents should be your first step:
Language Test: All Express Entry candidates must show proficiency in either English or French. You require official test scores from an approved language test in order to submit your profile. The minimum required score varies between the three Express Entry-aligned programs.
If you want to prove your proficiency in English, your options are the IELTS General Training exam or the CELPIP General exam. If you want to prove your proficiency in French, your options are the TEF exam or the TCF exam.
Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA): The ECA is an evaluation of non-Canadian education by Canadian standards. Notably, education is only a mandatory requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, but it is recommended that FST and CEC candidates also complete an ECA report, as education is an important component of the CRS score.
Note: An ECA is not required for educational programs completed in Canada.
Passport: A valid passport is required in order to submit an Express Entry profile. In very rare cases, alternative identification documents may be accepted when it is not possible to get a passport.
Once you have these three documents, you will be able to create your Express Entry profile.
Applying with a spouse or common-law partner: If you are applying with your spouse or common-law partner, you may want to compare your credentials ahead of time. One person must be listed as the principal applicant in the Express Entry profile and the vast majority of the CRS score will be based on the principal applicant’s credentials.
CREATE YOUR EXPRESS ENTRY PROFILE
Canada has so many pathways you may qualify for, if you need help creating an express entry profile or strategize on the best route to becoming a permanent resident, please click Here to Book a Consultation.